Gene drive systems could address many health and environmental problems by altering or suppressing wild populations, but the possibility that self-propagating gene drives will spread across international borders is likely to preclude most applications. Localized gene drive systems are more promising, yet must be empirically demonstrated to be evolutionarily stable. Given that most organisms cannot be raised in very large numbers, might other species be used as proxies? Finally, because people cannot opt-out of ecological changes, conducting traditional closeted research on gene drive applications effectively denies people a voice in decisions intended to affect them. Inviting community guidance of research may increase safety, efficacy, and the likelihood of eventual public support for applications.